Chemistry-Biology

Major

Overview

Faculty

Career Tracks

Off-Campus Study

Chemistry-Biology

Overview

The chemistry-biology major is an interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in the health sciences, molecular and cell biology, environmental disciplines such as toxicology, and any other field in which a good preparation in both chemistry and biology is needed. All chemistry-biology majors must take a basic core of courses in science and math. Beyond this basic core, they must elect a course of study that emphasizes either a molecular-biochemical or an environmental concentration. Students who elect the chemistry-biology major may not elect a major or minor in either chemistry or biology.

Students have ready access to essential, sophisticated instrumentation to carry out experiments and research across the gamut of organic, inorganic, analytic and physical chemistry.

Many of our chemistry-biology graduates become doctors, nurses, pharmacists, environmental scientists, college and university professors, or elementary or secondary teachers. Some go into corporate or government research. Our graduates include top-level executives, plant managers, sales managers and lawyers.

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Collaborative Learning Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.

Career Tracks

What can I do with a biology-chemistry major?

An undergraduate degree in chemistry-biology can lead to a career in medicine, chemistry, veterinary science, nursing, pharmacology, business and environmental protection.

Alumni of our program are enrolled in a variety of graduate-level programs at some of the nation’s most prestigious research universities, including: the Wisconsin School of Medicine, Iowa State University, the University of Illinois and Wayne State University.

Recent graduates of our program work for:

Baxter Healthcare Inc.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Covance Laboratories Inc.

Dean Clinic

Environmental Protection Agency

Habitat for Humanity

Infinity Healthcare

Missouri State University

Northwestern University of Health Sciences

Onyx Environmental Services

Sigma-Aldlrich Inc.

U.S. Air Force

University of Wisconsin Medical School

Job titles of recent graduates include:

Neonatology fellow

Medical laboratory technician

Water quality specialist

Chemist

Lawyer

Research and new product developer

Emergency room physician

Chemistry teacher

Pharmacy technician

Captain and flight surgeon

Midwife

Physician assistant

Nursing assistant

Optometrist

Biology lab professor

Off-Campus Study

A substantial number of Ripon College chemistry students participate in study and research programs at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee; the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts; and the University of Swansea, Wales.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Whether you choose a program that is international or domestic, it is an experience bound to change your view of the world. Click to learn more about Off- Campus Study and Liberal Arts In Focus at Ripon College.

Financial aid continues for students who choose to participate in an approved study-abroad program, minimizing additional expenses.